What happened to the price of rear hatch lift struts?

[tom4416]

My 03 has had a drooping rear hatch for almost a year now and was wary of the cheap struts that all seem to be too strong and create potential problems. But the last time I checked, the OEM struts were something north of $100 each. Well, today the hatch was drooping worse than usual (colder weather) and so started shopping and just for heck, checked OEM - $30.99 each! What the heck happened or is Toyota now selling the same made in China cheapies but rebranded as a Toyota part? I called the dealer and was assured they are still Toyota OEM but no clue as to why the big price drop unless they are getting ready to discontinue this particular one and clearing out inventory (there is a cold weather version of the strut) so I got them on order. Had more trouble ordering the lower ball bolt because the master parts catalog has it as part 68961-35050 and clearly shows it as a the ball bolt but when you put that part number in any of the dealer sites, it brings up a picture of just a regular bolt and even the parts guy couldn't quite figure it out so ordered it with the option to return it if not correct.

So, anyone else with early 4th gen, might want to jump on that price before it either goes back up or they disappear. Replaced the hood struts a year ago with aftermarket and they are working quite well but just too many bad reviews about the rear ones.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Yep, just did this a few months ago and got both OEM struts for ~$75 picked up at the excellent Cobb County Toyota parts department, which now has a website. The price is lower if you order online for pickup as opposed to going to the counter. They offer a military/veteran discount too but I think it’s for in-person orders only, not online.

 

[Drcoffee]

I just replaced my rear struts with Strong Arm brand. Im not real happy with them. They push fine all the up until the last 12” then stop. I have to lift it the last amount to open the door. My factory struts are 13 yrs old but still work fine. So I will reinstall and keep the new ones as extras. Very dissapointing.

 

[havoc531]

Thanks for the tip, my rear struts have been drooping and I recently knocked my head because of it!

Please post here when you’ve confirmed the parts are matching. And let us know how the install goes. Seems to be an easy one.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Thanks for the tip, my rear struts have been drooping and I recently knocked my head because of it!

Please post here when you’ve confirmed the parts are matching. And let us know how the install goes. Seems to be an easy one.

Here's what I bought from Cobb County Toyota for my '07 Sport and they fit perfectly:

6890839015 1 $ 33.68 Hatch Lift Support (Left)
6890739025 1 $ 33.68 Hatch Lift Support (Right)

Here's a hatch diagram with these parts shown.

 

[xtremewlr]

What's the difference on the cold weather spec struts? Just a little more pressure to compensate for colder temps?

 

[Montego Murph]

What's the difference on the cold weather spec struts? Just a little more pressure to compensate for colder temps?

If I had to guess, I'd say it would have seals made of a different material that wouldn't shrink (thus relieving pressure) in extreme temperatures.

 

[tom4416]

Here's what I bought from Cobb County Toyota for my '07 Sport and they fit perfectly:

6890839015 1 $ 33.68 Hatch Lift Support (Left)
6890739025 1 $ 33.68 Hatch Lift Support (Right)

Here's a hatch diagram with these parts shown.

For some reason, the 4th gen up through production 01/04, takes a different part number(s) 68908-35060 (L) and 68907-35060 (R). It might be why they were so expensive before but every aftermarket lift fits all years of the 4th gen. But every Toyota parts finder tells me the numbers you listed for your 07 will not fit my 03 :noidea: I've inspected other 4th gen and cannot visually see a difference so it may be in the compression strength of the lift versus any physical mounting differences.

 

[inscarguy]

Here's what I bought from Cobb County Toyota for my '07 Sport and they fit perfectly:

6890839015 1 $ 33.68 Hatch Lift Support (Left)
6890739025 1 $ 33.68 Hatch Lift Support (Right)

Here's a hatch diagram with these parts shown.

I would double check those numbers. 39015 is regular lift struts, 39025 is for the cold weather struts.
Here are the correct numbers

Cold right 68907-39025
Cold left 68908-39025

Non cold right 68907-39015
Non cold left 68908 39015

 

[HIMILESV8SPORT]

Ordered mine yesterday

last couple years when it got real cold it felt like they were close to failing. Still haven't failed totally thanks to mild winter so far. At 299K and almost 18 years, I just hope the new ones are as good as the original. Thanks for the thread, I used to sell these at 3 times the price and always figured I'd go aftermarket when mine were due.

 

[Captsolo]

I just replaced my rear struts with Strong Arm brand. Im not real happy with them. They push fine all the up until the last 12” then stop. I have to lift it the last amount to open the door. My factory struts are 13 yrs old but still work fine. So I will reinstall and keep the new ones as extras. Very dissapointing.

I replaced the two front hood struts a year and 1/2 ago and they hold up fine. Not OEM

Amazon.com: 2 Pieces (SET) Tuff Support Hood Lift Supports 2003 TO 2008 Toyota 4Runner / 2003 TO 2009 LEXUS GX470: Automotive

 

[Captsolo]

I just replaced my rear struts with Strong Arm brand. Im not real happy with them. They push fine all the up until the last 12” then stop. I have to lift it the last amount to open the door. My factory struts are 13 yrs old but still work fine. So I will reinstall and keep the new ones as extras. Very dissapointing.

I replaced the two front hood struts a year and 1/2 ago and they hold up fine. Not OEM

Amazon.com: 2 Pieces (SET) Tuff Support Hood Lift Supports 2003 TO 2008 Toyota 4Runner / 2003 TO 2009 LEXUS GX470: Automotive

Lifetime Limited Warranty*

 

[tom4416]

For anyone following this, the lift struts arrived today, 15 minute installation. You will need new pivot bolts unless you know a trick I do not - for my 03 the part number is 68961-35050 and you obviously need 2. I'm sure there is some trick to getting the old ones to release but I couldn't find it and everything I read said you need new pivot bolts. All the bolts had a lot of loctite on them and the new pivot bolts came pre-treated with threadlock and I added new Loctite to the upper bolts.

FWIW, I too went the Amazon route for the hood lifts which are working fine. I avoided the hatch struts because of stories of them being to strong that they were breaking at the upper junction and then punching a hole in the body sheet metal. Now that the OEM are $60-$70 for the pair, no reason to not be cautious and stay OEM (that last 17 years).

 

[aelarson]

I'm looking to change out my lift struts as mine are getting very weak, especially in the cold weather. I know this can be a finicky job. Has anyone posted a write up or any tricks on getting these swapped out?

This is the first time I've heard you would need new pivot bolts.

Any details would be greatly appreciated. Looking to swap these out ASAP!

 

[BackOff]

Anyone figure out the difference between the 4 rear hatch struts.
My right side is looking like its about done.